Verizon is bringing back unlimited data

Starting Monday, Verizon customers can get unlimited data, talk and text for $80.

The company says the new introductory plan also includes up to 10 GB of mobile hotspot usage, as well as calling and texting to Mexico and Canada. It will also allow customers to stream unlimited HD video, thumbing its nose at T-Mobile's controversial practice of lowering video quality for some of its unlimited data customers.

Although the new Verizon plan promises "fast LTE speeds," those using a lot of data may suffer. The company said that after a customer uses 22 gb of data on a line during any billing cycle, it "may prioritize usage behind other customers in the event of network congestion." That has become standard practice on all networks that offer unlimited data plans.

Verizon first overhauled its data-usage plans last summer when it introduced a new "Safety Mode" plan. That technically gave customers access to unlimited data, but they were subjected to slow-as-molasses speeds after they went over their allotted data.